updated 04:37 pm EDT, Wed July 18, 2012

October 26 sees new system launch

The next version of Microsoft's Windows 8 will launch on October 26 of this year. The news emerged today at Microsoft's annual sales meeting, where Windows Division President Steven Sinofsky confirmed the release date. The news is in keeping with previous hints from Microsoft that the product would launch in late October.

Windows 8 will launch in 109 languages across 231 markets upon release. Owners of current Windows software have the option to upgrade to Windows 8 online for $40, and that offer will be valid at the time the software launches.